The history and global appeal of martial arts like capoeira

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), developed from judo, emphasizes grappling and submissions, gaining worldwide popularity through its effectiveness in MMA.

Capoeira’s inclusive community welcomes people of all backgrounds, blending physical fitness, music, and cultural expression, making it accessible worldwide.

In the 1970s, mestres like Acordeon and Jelon Vieira brought capoeira to the US and Europe, establishing schools and fostering international interest.

Taekwondo, a Korean martial art, combines combat with cultural rituals and is known for its high, fast kicks, gaining global appeal through Olympic inclusion.

On November 26, 2014, UNESCO granted capoeira special protected status as an intangible cultural heritage, recognizing its global cultural significance.

The berimbau, a single-stringed bow instrument, leads the music in capoeira’s roda, setting the tempo and style of the game.

Mestre Bimba founded the first capoeira school in 1932, calling it Luta Regional Baiana, helping legalize and popularize capoeira as a sport.

Enslaved Africans disguised capoeira as a dance to hide its martial nature from Portuguese colonizers, who banned combat practices, allowing them to train covertly.

Engolo, practiced by the Mbundu people in Angola, is a ritual combat style with dance-like movements, widely regarded as a key influence on capoeira’s development.

Capoeira, developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil, blends martial arts with dance and music, often disguised as dance to evade colonial bans, and is now a global cultural practice.